Breed guide
Flat Coated Retriever
A source-linked starting point for Flat Coated Retriever: The Peter Pan of the Sporting Group, the forever-young Flat-Coated Retriever is a gundog of relatively recent origin. Use this as context for the individual dog's routine, not as a prediction of behaviour or health.
About this breed
How to use this Flat Coated Retriever profile
For Flat Coated Retriever, the verified profile records Height, Weight, Life expectancy. These references explain what to observe and what to adjust in daily life; they do not establish a guaranteed behaviour rate, diagnosis, or outcome for an individual dog.
How to recognize the breed
Use the whole outline, coat, proportions, and movement together. A single photo or colour is not enough to establish breed identity.
23-24.5 inches (male), 22-23.5 inches (female)
AKC page PageMap DataObject > height60-70 pounds
AKC page PageMap DataObject > weight8-10 years
AKC page PageMap DataObject > life_expectancyThe Flat-Coat's moderate-length coat requires a weekly grooming with a brush and a metal dog comb to remove dirt and loose hair and keep the dog looking his best. The ears should be regularly inspected and cleaned if needed. The nails should be trimmed often, as overly long nails can cause the dog discomfort and problems walking and running.
AKC page Grooming > official section copyBody condition and trend
Height and weight references are already shown above; they are context, not a personal target. Use the BCS tool and the individual dog's ribs, waist, abdominal tuck, age, and trend.
Daily life priorities
The Flat-Coat is an active sporting breed and requires ample exercise every day for his physical and mental well-being. This can come in the form of long daily walks and play sessions with his owner. The breed also exercises mind and body by participating in obedience, tracking, agility, rally, and other activities that can be enjoyed by dog and owner.
AKC page Exercise > official section copyFlat-Coats are very intelligent, responsive, and eager to please, so they are generally easy to train. They have a sensitive nature and don't respond well to harsh corrections or training methods. A Flat-Coat wants to be with his family, and undesirable behaviors can result if he is regularly left alone for long periods of time. Early socialization and…
AKC page Training > official section copyThe Flat-Coat's moderate-length coat requires a weekly grooming with a brush and a metal dog comb to remove dirt and loose hair and keep the dog looking his best. The ears should be regularly inspected and cleaned if needed. The nails should be trimmed often, as overly long nails can cause the dog discomfort and problems walking and running.
AKC page Grooming > official section copyAdjust difficulty, duration, and handling for the individual dog. The linked long-tail pages turn these profile facts into practical routines.
Health checks and when to call the vet
If you are choosing a puppy or checking a breeding record, ask for the named test, result, date, and scheme. These checks help assess breeding risk; they are not a diagnosis of an individual dog.
Questions owners ask about Flat Coated Retriever
Verified facts
| Height | 23-24.5 inches (male), 22-23.5 inches (female) AKC page PageMap DataObject > height |
|---|---|
| Weight | 60-70 pounds AKC page PageMap DataObject > weight |
| Life expectancy | 8-10 years AKC page PageMap DataObject > life_expectancy |
| Grooming | The Flat-Coat's moderate-length coat requires a weekly grooming with a brush and a metal dog comb to remove dirt and loose hair and keep the dog looking his best. The ears should be regularly inspected and cleaned if needed. The nails should be trimmed often, as overly long nails can cause the dog discomfort and problems walking and running. AKC page Grooming > official section copy |
| Exercise | The Flat-Coat is an active sporting breed and requires ample exercise every day for his physical and mental well-being. This can come in the form of long daily walks and play sessions with his owner. The breed also exercises mind and body by participating in obedience, tracking, agility, rally, and other activities that can be enjoyed by dog and owner. AKC page Exercise > official section copy |
| Training | Flat-Coats are very intelligent, responsive, and eager to please, so they are generally easy to train. They have a sensitive nature and don't respond well to harsh corrections or training methods. A Flat-Coat wants to be with his family, and undesirable behaviors can result if he is regularly left alone for long periods of time. Early socialization and… AKC page Training > official section copy |
| Official breed description | The Peter Pan of the Sporting Group, the forever-young Flat-Coated Retriever is a gundog of relatively recent origin. Happy, self-assured, and willing to please, a good Flat-Coat will retrieve a duck or a show ribbon with equal aplomb. AKC page About the Breed > official breed description |
| Recommended parent-club health tests | ['Patella Evaluation', 'Hip Evaluation', 'Ophthalmologist Evaluation'] AKC page Health > Recommended Health Tests From the National Breed Club |
| Official breed standard | http://images.akc.org/pdf/breeds/standards/FlatCoatedRetriever.pdf AKC page The Breed Standard > View Full Breed Standard |
How to use this profile
Use the facts on this page as a starting point, then observe the individual dog. A breed label does not establish behaviour frequency, diagnosis, or a guaranteed outcome. Medical and screening claims remain subject to review.
Research status
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